Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem is growing rapidly, but many Hispanic professionals still navigate STEM spaces without seeing their experiences, identities, or leadership styles reflected around them.
That is exactly the kind of conversation Ciencia con Acento hopes to change with its upcoming event, “Liderazgo con Acento: Voces Hispanas Transformando STEM,” taking place June 18th at the University of Pennsylvania.
Organized in collaboration with Penn SACNAS and Hablemos Ciencia, and supported by BioBuzz, the panel will bring together Hispanic leaders across academia, biotech/pharma, entrepreneurship, and industry to share their career journeys, leadership experiences, and lessons learned navigating STEM in the United States.
But according to Ciencia con Acento founder, Angela Fernandez-Iglesias, PhD, the event is about much more than traditional career advice.
“We wanted to create a space where people can have honest conversations about visibility, identity, belonging, and the realities behind professional growth in STEM,” said Fernandez-Iglesias. “There are many talented Hispanic professionals in this ecosystem, but often those stories are not visible enough.”
The panel reflects the diversity of pathways that exist within the broader life sciences ecosystem, featuring speakers from industry, academia, consulting, and entrepreneurship:
- Pedro Alfonso, PhD, MBA — Director at Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
- M. Alexandra Monroy, PhD — Founder & Principal at AM BioStrategies
- Amelia Escolano, PhD — Associate Professor at The Wistar Institute
- Emanuel Ortiz — Founder & Owner of Pristinology
Attendees can expect a mix of leadership discussion, audience Q&A, and networking with members of Philadelphia’s Spanish-speaking STEM community.
The event also highlights a broader shift happening across the region: community-driven organizations creating new entry points into life sciences for historically underrepresented groups through visibility, storytelling, and ecosystem connection.
For Ciencia con Acento, that mission has become central to its work in Philadelphia.
Since launching, the organization has focused on building spaces where Spanish-speaking professionals in STEM can connect authentically, share opportunities, and see examples of leadership that feel accessible and real.
“Leadership with an Accent” aims to continue that momentum by bringing together voices that reflect the complexity of navigating science and leadership while balancing culture, language, identity, and ambition.
The event is free to attend, though registration is required.
Event Details
KRB 252 (Former BRB), University of Pennsylvania
June 18th, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Registration: https://luma.com/5mtaevd7
Collaborators:
Penn SACNAS · Hablemos de Ciencia
Sponsored by:
BioBuzz
